While sparkly, handsome vampires are a relatively new thing, Hollywood has been raising the undead for a long time. There’s more to playing a vampire than a black cape and Romanian accent. Well, not really. I mean, that’s really all it takes to get the part. But the power of the performance rests squarely on the shoulders of the talent, and some of the silver screen’s best vampires have starred in the most influential horror films.

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1.9 – Don’t Ever Let Them In – In this horror-filled issue of Dark Arts Theater, David Wright (Yesterday’s Gone, Crash) returns to talk about an incredible non-vampire, vampire movie, Let the Right One In. We banter on the film’s cheery themes of mutilation, vampirism, bullies and revenge on pedophiles. Dan Padavona (Storberry, Shadow Witch) and I take our conversation topic south to the Big Easy as we discuss Down’s first record, NOLA. Please, bury us both in smoke. Boris Karloff warns us to be careful of what we wish for in his classic radio recording of “The Fortune Teller,” and the sludgy and infectious musical accompaniment has been provided courtesy of UK doomers Gévaudan.

Dark Arts Theater is THE video magazine dedicated to horror, dark fantasy, heavy metal and hard rock. Join host J. Thorn in a celebration of his favorite movies, music and books. Don’t be afraid of the dark—embrace it.